Monte-Carlo: a difficult day for Hyundai

Hyundai Motorsport est dans la partie au Rally Monte-Carlo mais le constructeur coréen ne peut compter que sur Dani Sordo pour espérer jouer le podium à la régulière alors que l’Espagnol ne dispose que d’une dizaine de secondes d’avance sur les Toyota Yaris WRC by Esapekka Lappi and Jari-Matti Latvala.

“We had a very difficult day, recognized the Spaniard. Our first pass was not particularly competitive and we lost ground despite having to deal with more delicate conditions this afternoon. The rain made things complicated and my visibility was hampered because of the windshield. I had more grip on the last course and I was able to regain confidence before the next stage. The fight for third place is tight. »

Hyundai's hopes turn to Dani Sordo following Andreas Mikkelsen's retirement. The Norwegian, second in the general classification at the start of the second stage of the Monte-Carlo Rally, had to retire with a mechanical problem.

“I got an alarm right after SS3 finished telling me the battery was low, explained the former resident of Volkswagen Motorsport. We stopped the car to check and noticed a problem with the alternator. We had no chance of repairing the car with such a short time before the start of SS4 and we had to retire for the day. We will be able to start again in Rally2 tomorrow even if that is not what I wanted for the start of the season. I will take advantage of the remaining stages to gain experience because I still have to practice on asphalt with the car. »

Thierry Neuville n’a pas été beaucoup plus en réussite. Après sa sortie de route de la veille, le Belge a débuté la journée en souffrant d’une crevaison. Il pointe à la neuvième place du classement général en étant en lutte avec Elfyn Evans (M-Sport) qui le devance de moins de trois secondes.

“I wasted a lot of time this morning, confirmed the Belgian, but the day was good afterwards. I am more satisfied than I was Thursday evening. The objective is to gain as many positions as possible by driving cleanly. The weather this afternoon didn't help. The conditions were horrible with rain, mud, aquaplaning and poor visibility. In SS8 the car performed really well. Everything remains possible over the next two days. A top five or top six is ​​not unimaginable. »